Letters to the Editor for Nov. 30, 2012

A dedicated staff at S.A.S

Salinas Animal Services provides comfort for many animals on its site. Its mission is to find loving homes for the dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, bunnies, and more, to have that luxury. They spend many hours during the day to make sure these animals on site are given the best, trying to keep them stress free while waiting for that "forever home."

They provide food, clean water, medication, when needed; clean bedding, on a daily basis. When needed, the staff finds foster homes for them.

Many times there is a need to transport animals to other sites and counties ? they are willing to do that so the defenseless animals are not euthanized. There is an emotional side to the job, as well. They see, again, on a daily basis, families bringing in animals no longer wanted. Some seem to think the puppies and kittens will remain just that. When they get bigger, there is no time to train, or just give plain caring for the pet. So they surrender the animal. I applaud the people that do surrender the pet rather than to leave them in the back yard to fend for themselves. Animals do have feelings and needs just like we humans. If only more humans would see this in a more kind way.

I have been a volunteer at S.A.S. for almost two years. Being the animal lover that I am, I was reluctant with the thought of doing so. I want to see that "all" animals find that "forever" home. That is not always the case. After months at the shelter and seeing the dedication from not only the staff but the many volunteers, I accepted the responsibility. The few hours I give on a monthly basis is very rewarding. With just that few minutes with the cats and kittens, I provide comfort and love in the hopes that they will all find homes.

In writing this letter, I am hoping all will realize what a wonderful group of people work at our Salinas Animal Services. It's not only challenging but so rewarding as well. Please be a responsible pet owner. Don't forget to spay and neuter your pet.

Joyce Ensley

Salinas

How much more can we hurt children's education?

Editor's note: the figures quoted in this letter have been independently verified through the California Budget Project.

Children in this day and age are not looked at in this state with the wonder and intellect God has created in them but are seen as percentages and figures. As API scores have shot up in districts throughout California, we continue to face more cuts in education. (Prop. 30 only halted even more cuts.) California has proven that education is not a top priority, as we rank 46th in the nation on spending per student, and 50th in its spending per teacher and librarians, yet the state continues to force districts to discontinue programs such as art, music, drama and tutoring, while chipping away at the hands of those who bring out the most in the children who they tend to daily, which are positive basic fundamentals to helping children mature into balanced adults.

Children are graduating without revealing the many God-given talents and abilities they possess deep within their souls. Those topics and their belief or faith have no room in the educational system anymore.

Most who work with children do so while giving 110 percent from the heart to bring out the most in a child's life, bu how much further can the state strip away before dignity is put on the chopping block?

Abraham John Ancheta

Salinas

Unnecessary speed costs the lives of family members

It was a year ago Black Friday that our family picked up the love of our lives from the S.P.C.A. - "Sparky." It was just 24 hours ago that I scooped up his listless body from the side of San Benancio Road, dead.

Sparky, who liked to venture out to snag a gopher, climb a tree or sit in the warm sun, always returned within a few hours to the window looking for a small meal or a groping hug. Having not returned within the time frame, I had an inkling that something had gone terribly wrong. We were in the midst of writing a "missing" flyer when on my way to work I discovered her by the side of the road. I can only hope she died quickly.

The real reason for this letter is not to dwell on my loss but let it be said for the future of all animals, driving at a reasonable rate of speed, 35 mph, on San Benancio Road might give them longer lives - not to mention the damage to cars or the loss of your own life to avoid a collision.

Please slow down. These country roads are "country roads," not freeways. Do whatever it takes to organize your life in such a way that others may live theirs.

Laurie Anderson

Salinas

Please take down your campaign signs

Now that the voting is over, please remove your campaign signs - winner or loser. Leaving them up is no different than leaving your garbage cans out in front of your house or your Christmas lights up all year.

To everything there is a season.

Lois Martin

Salinas

Throw the book
at child molester

I get very angry reading about the Lujan case. A child molester is the worst type of predator there is. There are a lot of dangerous criminals among us (murderers, thieves, armed robbers, gang members, etc.). But among them all, child molesters and rapists are without question the worst.

I understand it's the attorney's job to keep his client out of jail, even if he would prefer him behind bars like everyone else. But what really makes me angry is the judge. For this judge to even consider sentencing Lujan, or any other child molester, to anything other than the maximum allowable by law does not belong on the bench.

Then how probation can even be mentioned or considered is a disgrace, and another assault on the victim.

I would like to see the parents do live interviews with all the media available in seeking true justice for their daughter, and asking the judge to bring this trial to an end immediately. I also hope they sue all the parties involved in allowing this person to carry out this crime for such a long period of time.

This child will be needing help from therapists, etc., and the money to pay for such services throughout what may be a period of years. My heart goes out to this child and her family. May God be with them.

J. Leonard

Salinas

Workplace dynamic should be mutually rewarding

That is supposed to be the beauty of business: That we are each trying to make our tomorrow better through efforts made today; that mutually beneficial fair play is constructive while maximized profitability - literally giving as little as possible while taking as much as possible - is destructive.

Simply put, without rules those willing to venture into the extremes win, while the (vast) majority who believe in honest, hard work suffer the consequences.

Add to that the fact our elected officials are supposed to pass laws making all our lives a little easier, not laws making the lives of the extremists easy, and we begin to see the pattern of corruption inflicting our society.

Yet the problem isn't just with leadership, as many employees also act only with their own interests at heart, willfully forgetting no company survives, let alone succeeds, without true teamwork.

Teamwork for ownership means being certain their employees have what is needed to meet ownership's expectations, otherwise such expectations are abusive.

For employees teamwork means everyone pulls their own weight and does their job professionally, including leaving their personal choices out of the equation.

You should be able to work with anyone, because in the workplaces being professional means our personal opinions do not interfere with the goal(s) we are being paid to meet.

It's tough enough out there with the power of politicians increasing daily at their own hands, let alone the power of corporate owners increasing daily through their now unlimited ability to "influence" said politicians.

Then there's trying to do your job the best you can on a daily basis knowing you are going to have to make up the difference left by those who see themselves as victims because your employer only cares if the team succeeds, not if the individual is doing his or her part.

Kenneth Deome

Salinas

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Letters to the Editor for Nov. 30, 2012

Salinas Animal Services provides comfort for many animals on its site. Its mission is to find loving homes for the dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, bunnies, and more, to have that luxury.